Root Unlocked Bootloader vs S-OFF

[esmith818]

Could someone briefly explain to me (or point me to the correct thread) what the difference is between an unlocked bootloader and S-OFF? I keep seeing references to the HTCDev site allowing the Rezound to be unlocked but not removing S-OFF.

On the surface, it seems like once the phone's bootloader is unlocked, this phone is on equal footing with the Nexus (in terms of VZW phones ready for custom ROMs). But with all the chatter about S-OFF still out of reach, I'm not sure what limitations that poses.



EDIT: I read through the "HTCDev.com Unlock - Perm Root - Amon Ra or CWM Recovery" thread, but I didn't see anything that explained the difference between unlocked bootloader and S-OFF in regards to what each thing "controls".

 

[jbh00jh]

With the unlocked bootloader you can change roms and remove apps ,but can not change radios. With S-off you can change or remove almost anything including radios.

 

[budmonster]

What does changing the radio actually do? What can be the benefits?

Also if I use that htcdev to unlock my phone does vzw really find out? If you unroot and remove everything there should be no problem?

Next question whats the easiest way to unroot?

 

[EarlyMon]

Eventually, there will be radio updates for the phone. Everything always updates.

S-ON/OFF means certain things (radios and kernels) have to have an encrypted signature to flash.

The community is already able to flash radios for other HTC phones unlocked with S-ON via HTCdev, so I think the Rezound community hasn't picked up the tricks yet.

When radio updates become available, there will be flashing instructions for them, S-ON notwithstanding.

You can already flash a new kernel for example.

At present, there is no way to unroot the Rezound (unless it's come out while I've typed this, things are moving along nice and fast ).

Edit - happy to admit that I was wrong on the last bit. See Mr Smith's advice in how to unroot thread.